September 28, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
53 
THE VEGETABLE CONFERENCE 
AT CHISWICK. 
Perhaps the most important, from an economic point 
of view, of the series of conferences which have been 
held at Chiswick during the last few years, and 
certainly the most successful, considered horticulturally, 
was that which commenced in the well-known gardens 
of the Eoyal Horticultural Society on Tuesday last 
and closed on Thursday night. The display was in all 
respects an admirable one, scarcely a subject named in 
the programme being unrepresented, while in the case 
of such important food products as Potatos, Onions, 
Beet, Carrots, Parsnips, Cabbages, Cauliflowers, &c., 
the number of specimens exhibited and their remarkable 
quality was the theme of general admiration among the 
number of able growers who attended the show. That 
such a grand exhibition could be made without the 
aid of money prizes speaks volumes for the regard held 
by the gardeners and nurserymen for the old society, 
and remarkable devotedness to their calling. On 
the opening day the attendance was mainly confined to 
for table purposes. Chou de Burghley is a late and 
valuable kind, and Coleworts, such as Rosette, Hardy 
Green, and others, are very useful in their way as 
winter Greens. A collection of varieties was also ex¬ 
hibited by Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co., Paris. 
They were of moderate size, but not very fresh, having 
suffered on the journey over. Coeur de Boeuf Petit, 
Etampes, and others were samples of their exhibit. 
Mr. J. Willard, Holly Lodge, Highgate, had a collec¬ 
tion of four varieties, consisting of Little Pixie, Ellam’s 
Dwarf, Veitch’s Matchless, and RosetteColewort, all of 
suitable size and fresh. Messrs. Harrison & Sons, 
Leicester, and Messrs. J. Carter & Co., High Holborn, 
also exhibited in this class, the latter having Miniature 
Drumhead and Early Rainham in fine condition. 
They also exhibited Carter’s Little Pixie in the class 
for one variety. Mr. R. Smith, Kenward, Yalding, 
Maidstone, showed St. John’s Day, a very small and 
very useful kind. Other exhibitors were Mr. 
W. Poupart, Twickenham ; Mr. J. Hughes, lleathfield, 
Bracknell, Berks ; the Hon. E. L. Shaw-Lefevre 
(gardener, Mr. W. Wildsmith), Heckfield Place, 
Winchfield ; and Mr. W. Pope, Highclere Castle, 
Newbury. Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons exhibited a 
collection of Savoys, including fine samples of Early 
Paris, Earl} 7 Vienna Yellow, Dwarf Green Curled, and 
others. Mr. Geo. Wythes, Syon House, Brentford, 
showed Dwarf Green Curled, Early Dwarf Ulm, &c. ; 
and Mr. J. Willard also had a collection, as well as Mr. 
W. G. Gilbert, Sennowe Hall, Norfolk. 
Red Cabbages were generally of great size, Large Red 
Drumhead and Red Dutch being enormous in bulk. 
Messrs. J. Carter & Co , Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, 
Mr. J. Willard, Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., and Messrs. 
Oakshott & Millard had good samples ; those of Messrs. 
Dobbie & Co., named Red Drumhead, were very daik 
in colour. Cauliflowers were of great size and generally 
Globe Artichokes were exhibited by Mr. W. 
Poupart, Messrs. Oakshott & Millard, Mr. Lambert, 
Onslow Hall, Shrewsbury, Messrs. J. Veitch k Sons, 
and others. Green and Purple were the kinds chiefly 
shown. Spinach was shown in good condition by Mr. 
W. Poupart, Mr. R. Smith, Mr. W. G. Gilbert, 
E. M. Nelson, Esq., Hanger Hill, Ealing, and by 
Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone. 
Fruits and Pulse. 
The subjects included in this division were arranged in 
the large vinery. In the class for a collection of 
Marrows and Gourds, Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co. 
exhibited some highly coloured kinds, including 
Prolific Early, Small Turban China, Olive, Warted 
Marrow, Chestnut Marrow, and other Squashes. Mr. 
J. L. Ensor, Semer, Ipswich, had a moderate number 
of large kinds. Very large collections were ex¬ 
hibited by the Royal Horticultural Society. Exceed¬ 
ingly curious and ornamental kinds were the 
Crooknecks, Bishop’s Hat, Turban, Flat Striped, 
Egg-shaped White, Orange, Pear Shaped, Lemon 
Shaped, and others. A collection was sent by Mr. 
C. Osman from the South Metropolitan District 
Schools, and there were smaller collections from other 
growers. The largest number of edible Marrows 
and Gourds shown were grown in the society’s gardens, 
WwM'iyfm, 
Wm m m 
wMw 
Best Tapes of Vegetables A, Ne Plus Ultra Dwarf French Bean. B, Cabbage, Ellam’s Dwarf. 
D, Scarlet Runnf.r, Mammoth or Ne Plus Ultra Type. 
C, B.’.F.r, Prvgnell's Suiitnu. 
the exhibitors, who came from all parts of the country, 
and from France, too, one of the largest contributors 
being the firm of Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co., of 
Paris, represented in the person of Mr. H. Vilmorin. 
Germany was also represented by Mr. John Benary, of 
Erfurt, who, however, was not an exhibitor, and our 
friends beyond the Tweed had an able representative 
in the person of Mr. .Malcolm Dunn, of Dalkeith. 
Tuesday was mainly devoted to an examination of the 
various collections by carefully chosen experts, whose 
awards will be published in our next issue. Unfortu¬ 
nately the weather was of the most unfavourable 
character ; it rained incessantly from noon to night, 
but greatly improved on Wednesday. 
Green Vegetables. 
In this section Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, had 
a large collection of Cabbages of about seventeen or 
more kinds, varying greatly in size, from such giant 
sorts as Early Flat White, Offenham, Enfield Market, 
and Couve Tronchuda, all apparently capable, under 
favourable circumstances, of yielding a large amount of 
produce, but not very suitable for table use. Express, 
extra early, Wheeler’s Imperial, Veitch’s Matchless, 
Little Dixie, Early Etampes, Large York, and Denning’s 
Early are moderate-sized well-shaped Cabbages, suitable 
in good condition. The samples of Veitch’s Autumn 
Giant shown by Mr. Lambert, Onslow, Messrs. R. 
Veitch & Sou, Mr. W. Poupart, and Mr. Wildsmith, 
Heckfield, were compact and of good colour. Michael¬ 
mas White Broccoli, shown by Mr. W. Pop 7 , 
was also compact and white. The above occurred in 
the collection ; several exhibits of one variety were 
also made. 
Borecoles or Kales were exhibited in great quantity. 
Useful and choice kinds are Dwarf Green, Chelsea 
Exquisite, Veitch’s Dwarf, Culzean Castle (a new kind), 
Dobbie’s Selected Greens, Read’s Hearting, Dwarf 
Scotch Curled, Welsh, Cottagers’ Kale, Buda, Chou de 
Milan, and others. Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons exhibited 
a large collection ; and Sir. G. Wythe, Sir. H. Deverill, 
Banbury, Sir. Hugh Hanan, Edinburgh, and Slessrs. 
Dobbie & Co., Rothesay, also exhibited here. Slessrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons had a collection of Brussels Sprouts, 
including Large Imported, Dwarf Imported, Paragon 
Exhibition, The Wroxton, President Carnot, and 
others. Sir. G. Wythes showed plants of The Aigburth 
in good form ; and Sir. H. Deverill also showed here. 
Slessrs. R. Veitch & Son, Exeter, Sir. G. Wythes, 
Sir. W. Pope, and Sir. H. Deverill showed in the 
class for half-a-peck of Sprouts. 
conspicuous amongst them being the Angora, Early 
Gold Bush, the Custard Gourds, Prolific Gourd, Bush 
or Cluster Slarrow, Long SVhite Italian, Prince Albert, 
Sloore’s Vegetable, Olive, Slate-coloured Turban Squash, 
and others. A collection of six varieties was shown by 
Sir. R. Dean, Ealing. In the class for the largest 
specimen, Sir. W. Poupart, Sir. W. G. Gilbert, Slessrs 
R. Veitch & Son, Slessrs. Harrison & Sons, Sir. Thomas 
Lockey, Oakley Court, Windsor, and the society itself 
were exhibitors. A new Slarrow named Anglo-Indian 
was shown by E. SI. Nelson, Esq. Cucumbers 
were shown by Sir. Lambert, Slessrs. Oakshott & 
Slillard, Sir. Thomas Lockie (with fine samples of 
Lockie’s Perfection), Slessrs. Carter & Co., Slessrs. G. 
Bunyard & Co., and Sir. C. J. Waite, Glenhurst, 
Esher. Ridge varieties were shown by Slessrs. G. 
Bunyard & Co., Sir. T. Lixton, Stamford, and Slessrs. 
R. Veitch & Son. An extensive collection of Tumatos 
came from Slessrs. J. Veitch & Sons, who showed 
Hackwood Park, Ham Green Favourite, Trophy, 
Livingstone’s Favourite, Pomegranate, and others. A 
good collection of fine samples, including President 
Cleveland, Perfection, Ham Green Favourite, Chemin, 
and Surpassee came from the society’s gardens. Grand 
samples of The Slikado, Chemin and Apple-shaped 
